Spray can adapter

ABSTRACT

Method and apparatus for restricting the spray from an aerosol spray can to a limited area is disclosed. More particularly, a rotatable disc having a plurality of apertures therein is interposed between the aerosol spray can and the surface being sprayed in a plane substantially normal to the spray and rotated to selectively align one of the apertures with the spray. Accordingly, the cross-sectional characteristics of the spray applied to the surface conform to the corresponding characteristics of the selected aperture. The disc is also adjustably positionable to a selected distance from the aerosol spray can for controlling the intensity of the spray through the aperture. The present invention is especially well-suited for repairing defects in wood finishes.

United States Patent 1191.

Hamlin 51 June 11, 1974 g SPRAY CAN ADAPTER 22 Filed: Aug. 24, 1973 [21 Appl. No.2 391,062

Dyal 239/394 X Primary ErramineF-M. Henson Wood, .1 r.

Assistant Examiner-Michziel Y. Mar Attorney, Agent, or FirmMerriam, Marshall, Shapiro & Klose v [57] ABSTRACT Method and apparatus for restricting the spray from an aerosol spray can to a limited area is disclosed. More particularly, a rotatable disc having a plurality of apertures therein is interposed between the aerosol spray can and the surface being sprayed in a plane substantially normal to the spray and rotated to selectivelyalign one of the apertures with the spray. Accordingly, the cross-sectional characteristics of the spray applied to the surface conform to the corresponding characteristics of the selected aperture. The disc is also adjustably positionable to a selected distance from the aerosol spray can for controlling the intensity of the spray through the aperture. The present invention is especially well-suited for repairing defects in wood finishes.

10 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures SPRAY CAN ADAPTER BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates generally to method and apparatus for controlling the spray from an aerosol spray 'can and more particularly to an apparatus adaptively mounted on an aerosol spray can for restricting the spray from the aerosol spray can to a limited crosssectional area and intensity in accordance with the principles of the present invention. The method and ap-' paratus of the present invention are especially wellsuited for the touch-up repair of scratches, chips, burn marks, and the like in wood finishes or other similarly finished surfaces.

Reference may be made to the following US. Pat. Nos. 3,550,857; 3,147,142; 2,842,093; 2,722,224; 2,512,542; 2,035,677; and 1,841,431.

Scratches, dents, chips, burn marks, and the like are common defects found in the wood finishes of, for example, furniture. While a finish such as lacquer, varnish or shellac can be applied to large bar wood surfaces by brush or spray gun, the generally accepted method for repairing'small surface defects without removing the original finish is a technique commonly known as padding or French polishing.

ln padding, the lacquer is applied to a padding pad comprising a cotton core wrapped in lint-free cloth which is then grasped in the palm of the hand and swept over the defect with a pendulum-like motion. In performing the padding operation, however, care must be taken to sweep the pad across the damaged area so that the stroke does not end while the pad is in contact with the wood as that leaves a. visible mark where the pad comes to rest. g

Where the defect is a shallow scratch, it may be nec-. essary to apply only a finish coat of lacquer to adequately restore the damage article. In cases involving more serious damage (i.e., where the wood has been gouged and/or the stain has been removed) the indentation must first be filled with a filler material. A coat of lacquer or some other finishing agent is then padded over the defect followed immediately by a stain (applied either with the finger or by padding) and a second coat of lacquer applied by padding. This application process must be repeated until the shade of thedefective area blends perfectly with the surrounding undamaged portions.

In many cases, especially where a filler is required, it will also be necessary to apply an imitation wood grain. This is generally accomplished by applying the appropriate stain with a fine brush in line with the natural wood grain prior to application of the final coats of finish.

Care must be taken during application, however, lest too little or too much lacquer be applied to the defect especially after a stain has been applied. Too little lacquer may result in the stain being shifted while too much may cause the stain to run. Similarly, care must be taken to exert just the right amount of pressure when the pad contacts the surface.

It should be apparent therefore that the high degree of expertise required to successfully blend the touchedup area with the undamaged finish by the padding technique generally precludes the layman from obtaining satisfactory results. Rather; since expertise in padding is attained only after several years of trial-and-error experience, a professional is often hired at considerable cost to repair the defect. I-Ieretofore, however, no other SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with the present invention there is provided method and apparatus for controlling the crosssectional area and intensity of the spray from an aerosol spray can to facilitate, for example, the application of stain and/or lacquer or the like'to a defect in a wood finish being repaired. Further, the present invention may be used to apply a simulated wood grain to wood having indentations that have been filled.

More particularly, a rotatable disc having a plurality of apertures therein is interposed between the aerosol spray can and the surface being sprayed, in a plane substantially normal to the spray. The disc is rotated until a selected one of the apertures is aligned with the spray so that the spray passing therethrough substantially conforms to the shape and dimensions of the selected aperture. The disc is also adjustably positionable to a selected distance from the aerosol spray can for controlling the intensity of the spray through the aperture.

- In accordance with the present invention, there is provided apparatus comprising a hood and a disc rotatably mounted on the hood. The disc has a plurality of apertures of different sizes therein which are selectively rotatable into substantial alignment with and substantially normal to the spray. Means are also provided for slidably mounting the hood on the aerosol spray can to adjustably position the disc at a selected distance from the aerosol spray can. In addition, means for collecting that spray which. is blocked by the disc may be included.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The featuresof this invention which are believed to be novel are set forth with particularly in the appended claims. The invention and the objects and advantages thereof, may be best understood, however, by reference to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals identify like elements in the several figures and in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the apparatus of the present invention adaptively mounted on an aerosol spray can;

FIG. 2 is a partial sectional side view of the apparatus of the present invention with a cut-away portion to illustrate the means for collecting excess spray and shown in phantom to show the apparatus after it has been repositioned relative to the aerosol spray can; and

FIG. 3 is a partial sectional view of the apparatus taken along line 33 of FIG. 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION With reference'now to FIG. 1, there is shown apparatus in accordance with the present invention for limiting the cross sectional area and controlling the intensity of spray applied to a surface. The apparatus is especially useful in refinishing or touching up small defects nificant extent. Also, the same apparatus can be used to apply a narrow line of stain to the surface, simulating wood grain or other similar characteristics.

As is more clearly shown in FIG. 2, the apparatus is mounted on an aerosol spray can 11 by means of an adaptive handle 13 which is removably attached to the circular rim or 'lip, identified generally at llr, immediately adjacentthe valve button 11b of the aerosol can 11. A trigger mechanism 15 ispivoted on the handle 11 for selectively depressing the valve button 11b to emit spray from the valve nozzle lln.

In an application such as the touch-up of wood finishes, for which the apparatus of the present invention is especially well-suited, the aerosol spray can 11. is likely to contain lacquer, stain, or the like. Consequently, since the apparatus is removably attached to the can 1 1, a single device may be usedto complete the various steps necessary to'repair a defect by simply switching aerosol cans ll.

Although the adaptive handle and trigger mechanism as thus far described'is well-known in the art, in accordance with the present invention the adaptive handle 13 includes a pair of substantially U-shaped prongs 17 attached thereto. in particular, the U-shaped prongs 17 are positioned on opposite sides of the nozzle 11n with one leg of each prong 17 attached to the adaptive handle 13 and the other legs extending radially outward therefrom in parallel alignment in the direction in which spray is emitted from the nozzle 11n.

The prongs 17, in turn, slidably engage a corresponding pair of channels 19 disposed longitudinally along the semi-cylindrical top portion of hood 21 which extends radially from the aerosol spray can 11 in a direction substantially coincident with spray emitted therefrom. The prongs 17 are outwardly biased to exert a force against the outer walls of channels 19. Thus, while the hood 21 may be slidably repositioned on the prongs 17, this slight pressure is generally sufficient to maintain the hood 21 in a fixed position relative to the aerosol can 11. The hood 21 traps a significant portion of the fumes usually associated with spraying would otherwise normally escape into the room.

A disc 23 is rotatably mounted on the inner side of the circular end portion of hood 21 by a fastening arrangement comprising nut 25 and bolt 27. As may be more clearly seen in FIG. 3, the disc 23, which is-substantially coextensive with the end portion of hood 21, has a plurality of apertures 29 of various sizes and shapes arranged in a circle about its center.

Consequently, by loosening the fastening arrangement, the disc 23 can be rotated to align one of the apertures 29 with'the hole 31 in the circular end portion of hood 21. Indentations 33 are provided in the rotatable disc 23 which fit an indentation 35 in the end portion of hood 21 when the corresponding-aperture 29 is agigned with hole 31. Thus, when the fastening arrangement is tightened, indentations 33 and 35 combine to lock the disc 23 at a preferred position.

Consequently, when the trigger mechanism 15 is actuated, the spray emitted from the nozzle Mn is directed toward the hole 31 and the aperture 29. Although the rotatable disc 23 and the end portion of hood 21 block most of the spray, a small jet or line of spray passes through the particular aperture 29 aligned with hole 31. The edges of the aperture 29 are slanted slightly toward the nozzle 1 In to prevent the accumulation of spray at the edges which may subsequently jam the aperture or cause a clump on the surface being 4 sprayed. By selectively rotating the disc 23, the crosssectional areaof the jet is adjusted to correspond to the size and shape of any of the various apertures 29.

The spray which is deposited on the surface of the rotatable disc 23 accumulates and drips toward the bottom of the disc 23. Immediately adjacent to its portion, the hood 21 is cylindrical so that the excess liquefied spray is collected thereon. A container comprising a cap 39 affixed to the bottom of hood 21 and a corresponding glass or metal jar 41 is provided to collect and store the excess liquefied spray. In particular, a tube 43 extending from an opening in the bottom of the hood 21 and the cap 39, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, drains the liquid into the jar 41. Thus, if the apparatus is inadvertently turned upside down, most, if not all, of the collected liquid will be safely retained in the container.

Accordingly, apparatus been shown and described for restricting the spray from an aerosol can to a limited area thereby facilitating the repair of defects in wood finishes. By selecting an aperture of a particular size and shape and adjustably positioning the disc relative to the nozzle of the aerosol spray can, the cross sectional area and the intensity of the spray jet can be controlled. Thus, a large aperture may be selected when lacquer or the like is to be applied while one of the smaller apertures is more suitable for graining. Although the apparatus has been described in the context of repairing defects in wood finishes, it should be realized that the present invention is useful for similar applications such as paint touch-up work on automobiles.

Accordingly while a particular embodiment of the present invention has been shown and described, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the invention in its broader aspects. Accordingly, the aim in the appended claims is to cover all such changes and modifications as may fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. Apparatus for restricting the spray from an aerosol spray can to a limited area, said apparatus comprising:

a hood;

a disc rotatably mounted on said hood substantially normal to said spray,

said disc having a plurality of apertures therein selectively rotatable into substantial alignment with said spray; and

means for slidably mounting said hood on said aerosol spray can to adjustably position said disc at a selected distance from said aerosol spray can.

2. Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein said hood comprises a top portion and an end portion, said top portion extending radially from said aerosol spray can above said spray and in substantial alignment therewith, said end portion extending downward from said top portion, said disc being rotatably mounted on said end portion between said end portion and said aerosol spray can.

3. Apparatus in accordance with claim 2 wherein said top portion comprises a substantially semi-cylindrical sheet and said end portion comprises a circular plate having a hole therein, said hole being aligned with one of said aperturesto pass said spray therethrough.

4. Apparatus in accordance with claim 2 including container means for collecting any of said spray which is blocked by said disc.

5. Apparatus in accordance with claim 4 wherein said container means comprises a cap attached to the bottom of said end portion adjacent the bottom of said disc and a jar removably coupled to said cap, said cap having a tube extending therethrough passing any of said spray which is blocked by said disc into said jar.

6. Apparatus in accordance with claim 2 wherein said mounting means comprises a pair of channels disposed longitudinally along said top portion of said hood and a corresponding pair of prongs adaptively mounted on said aerosol spray can, said prongs slidably engaging said channels.

7. Apparatus in accordance with claim 6 including an adaptive handle for mounting said prongs on said aerosol spray can, said adaptive handle including a trigger mechanism for actuating said aerosol spray can.

8. Apparatus in accordance with claim 2 wherein said apertures have edges slanted toward said aerosol spray can.

9. A method for restricting the spray from an aerosol 5 spray can to a limited area, said methodcomprising:

interposing a rotatable disc having a plurality of apertures therein substantially normal to said spray; rotating said rotatable disc to align one of said apertures with said spray;

l adjustably positioning said rotatable disc at a selected distance from said aerosol spray can; and actuating said aerosol spray can to emit said spray toward said rotatable disc. l 10. A method in accordance with claim 9 further including:

collecting any of said spray which is blocked by said disc.

' o-ww I '7 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION latent No. 3,815,819 M Dated June 114 1974 Inventofls) ROBERT HAMLIN It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Column 1, line 21, "bar" .should be -ba re-; line 37, "damage" should be -damaged. Column 2, line 36 "particularly" should be -par'ticu l arity.

Signed and sealed this 17th day of September 1974;

[SEAL] Attest:

MCCOY M.- GIBSON JR. c. MARSlIALL. DANN Attcs'ting Officer Commissioner of Patents 

1. Apparatus for restricting the spray from an aerosol spray can to a limited area, said apparatus comprising: a hood; a disc rotatably mounted on said hood substantially normal to said spray, said disc having a plurality of apertures therein selectively rotatable into substantial alignment with said spray; and means for slidably mounting said hood on said aerosol spray can to adjustably position said disc at a selected distance from said aerosol spray can.
 2. Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein said hood comprises a top portion and an end portion, said top portion extending radially from said aerosol spray can above said spray and in substantial alignment therewith, said end portion extending downward from said top portion, said disc being rotatably mounted on said end portion between said end portion and said aerosol spray can.
 3. Apparatus in accordance with claim 2 wherein said top portion comprises a substantially semi-cylindrical sheet and said end portion comprises a circular plate having a hole therein, said hole being aligned with one of said apertures to pass said spray therethrough.
 4. Apparatus in accordance with claim 2 including container means for collecting any of said spray which is blocked by said disc.
 5. Apparatus in accordance with claim 4 wherein said container means comprises a cap attached to the bottom of said end portion adjacent the bottom of said disc and a jar removably coupled to said cap, said cap having a tube extending therethrough passing any of said spray which is blocked by said disc into said jar.
 6. Apparatus in accordance with claim 2 wherein said mounting means comprises a pair of channels disposed longitudinally along said top portion of said hood and a corresponding pair of prongs adaptively mounted on said aerosol spray can, said prongs slidably engaging said channels.
 7. Apparatus in accordance with claim 6 including an adaptive handle for mounting said prongs on said aerosol spray can, said adaptive handle including a trigger mechanism for actuating said aerosol spray can.
 8. Apparatus in accordance with claim 2 wherein said apertures have edges slanted toward said aerosol spray can.
 9. A method for restricting the spray from an aerosol spray can to a limited area, said method comprising: interposing a rotatable disc having a plurality of apertures therein substantially normal to said spray; rotating said rotatable disc to align one of said apertures with said spray; adjustably positioning said rotatable disc at a selected distance from said aerosol Spray can; and actuating said aerosol spray can to emit said spray toward said rotatable disc.
 10. A method in accordance with claim 9 further including: collecting any of said spray which is blocked by said disc. 